EMOTIONS AND COLORS

UNDERSTANDING BIG EMOTIONS

Sometimes, a feeling can be so intense

or complex that it’s hard to understand

or put into words.

One way to begin recognizing our emotions is to identify the primary emotions that lie beneath them. Just like mixing colors.

EXPLORE THE COLOR
DISCOVER THE FEELING

HAPPINESS

Happiness is the feeling that the important aspects of life are going well. It usually arises when we feel that we are making progress toward our goals, are in good physical health, and enjoy positive relationships with others.

SECONDARY EMOTIONS:
Happiness • Anger = Pride
Happiness • Surprise = Delight
Happiness • Disgust = Derisiveness
Happiness • Acceptance = Love

TERTIARY EMOTIONS:
Happiness • Fear • Anticipation = Generosity

SADNESS

Sadness can arise from the loss of people, relationships, social status, or a sense of identity. It can also lead to temporary social isolation, which gives a person time to process and make sense of their experience. Sadness can foster reflection, personal growth, and a reassessment of goals.

SECONDARY EMOTIONS:
Sadness • Fear = Shame
Sadness • Anticipation = Pessimism
Sadness • Acceptance = Resignation
Sadness • Disgust = Loneliness

TERTIARY EMOTIONS:
Sadness • Fear • Anticipation = Worry
Sadness • Anticipation • Acceptance = Discouragement

FEAR

Fear arises in response to danger, a threat, or a feeling of insecurity. It prepares us to protect ourselves by moving away from or avoiding the source of the threat.

Fear can lead to behaviors such as isolation, hiding, fleeing, or seeking safety. Its primary function is to help us recognize potential danger and react quickly to protect ourselves.

SECONDARY EMOTIONS:
Fear • Anticipation = Anxiety
Fear • Acceptance = Submissiveness
Sadness • Fear = Shame

TERTIARY EMOTIONS:
Fear • Surprise • Disgust = Insecurity

ANTICIPATION

Anticipation refers to predicting what might happen in the future and preparing for possible events. It involves an emotional response to something that is expected to happen, such as feeling excited, hopeful, or worried.

SECONDARY EMOTIONS:
Anticipation • Acceptance = Fatalism
Anticipation • Disgust = Distrust
Happiness • Anticipation = Optimism
Sadness • Anticipation = Pessimism
Fear • Anticipation = Anxiety

TERTIARY EMOTIONS:
Anger • Anticipation • Acceptance = Confidence
Sadness • Fear • Anticipation = Worry

Reference: TenHouten, W. D. (2025). The spectrum of affect: A classification of the 64 emotions.

LATERALIZATION OF EMOTIONS

TenHouten’s “Feeling-Function” model explains that different emotions may be linked to different hemispheres of the brain.

The right side focuses more on how we feel, while the left side focuses more on how we respond or act.

Right hemisphere of the brain: more closely related to feelings, such as sadness, fear, anticipation, and acceptance.
Left side of the brain: more closely associated with actions and responses, such as happiness, anger, surprise, and disgust.

EMOTIONS AND COLORS

UNDERSTANDING BIG EMOTIONS

EXPLORE THE COLOR DISCOVER THE FEELING

LATERALIZATION OF EMOTIONS

EXPLORE THE COLOR
DISCOVER THE FEELING